The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-30
GROWING EVILS In POLITICS
Mr.. George J. Langsdale Talks to the
Tippecanoe Club on Current Topics.
His Denunciations of the Odious Record of the
Democrats on Municipal, State and Nation
alAffairs Meet Hearty Endorsement.


the Superior Court room, yesterday afternoon.
and listened to address by George J. Langs-
dale. president of the Indiana Soldiers and Sail
ors' Monument Commission. and editor of the
Greeucastle Banner. 1t four line item in
the Banner, forty years ago, suggesting that the
men who supported Gen. W. H. 81. Harrison
should bind themselves together in political
organ zation, that called together score of the
now oldest citizens for the organization Of the
Tippecanoe Club. Mr.. Lapgsdae's address was
upon current political TOPICS and at its close the
club passed resolution indorsing its sentiments,
and ordered it printed in pamphlet form for dis
tributon over the State
In beginning, Mr.. Langsdale referred to the
members of the club as political fathers, who,
remembering the recent past. must look upon
the present as strangely out of joint Only
twenty-four years ago tLey the government
preserved by the sacrifice of many lives. and to-
day they see it in the hands Of those vino sought
to destroy it. He protested against accepting
the political guidance of such men. Gradually
the government has been drifting into the hands
of the men whose interests against good
government. With the Democratic party in con-
troll there need of surprise the revela-
tons that we're being made in Indiana and other
States Go to your State Treasury" said he;
your own county. You find the tally-sheets of
an i'm portant election changed so as to suit the
defeated candidates, and those guilty of the
felony walk your streets to-day. honored men
of~their party, and recognized leaders. More
their party has rallied to their defense and made
their crime it's own. thus becoming responsible
for it."
'!Go to your Insane Asylum" continued the
speaker, You find the inmates fed food
fit for the brutes of the field, while those pub
icly exposed of the outrage continue to enjoy
the fruits of their contracts.
go to the southern prison: you find
dition so horrible that man would defend it.
and after public clamor led to what was believed
to be reform, the present. warden is now
placed under arrest and fined by a magistrate
for permitting an $50. 900 Democratic public de-
faulter under his charge convict to go at
large and drive unattended about the streets of
Jacksonville IN the garb of free
Go to the Soldiers Orphans Home: you find
that while under strictly Democratic manage
ment. under law enacted by Democratic
Legis lature, these children of the men who gave
their life for their country were kept under the
same roof with idiots. and that condition
lists so revolving as to meet with universal con-
dennation.
'.At the benevolent institutions except at the
House of Refuge, partsanship is the chief con-
sideration, and not fitness in selecting those
who are to have charge of the poor unfortunates
Those having the special and technical training
requisite "a proper discharge of their duties
are compe led to give place to those more ooed
lent to parry requirements"
The speaker also referred at length to the last
State Senate. where the legally elected presiding
officer was deprived of his seat. and where the
doors were guarded by armed mob of men
who had formerly served the State convicts
in the States prisons. 1t unnecessary, he
said. to enunerate further for il was the same
story everywhere. He believed the people were
beginning to understand the situa ton of affairs
and that a reaction was at hand
He reviewed Cleveland's administration. and
compared IL with the Republican administration
that preceded it. Referring to the Presidents
attempt TO create division in she rs-nEs of the
g. A r., he said that Cleveland had attempted
to put the Union soldier upon the defensive be-
lore the country. as means OF continuing his
political power. His administration has
tended to render the solid South more solid.
With the South behind him, the votes of only
two Northern States Indiana and New York.
are required to elect him. and he will neglect
the use Of no means within his reach secure
these. Democratic orators. money, and
ruption will be concentrated upon these two
States. and it will be great struggle between
them and the friends of good government.
Referring again to Indiana affairs. he said it
was the prevalent belief that the Democratic
party in Indiana had been weakened by the
conduct of the leaders during the last year I'm
doubtedly many honest Democrats have had
their minds disabused by these leaders and will
refuse to act with their party; but the great
mass, not being personally acquainted with the
facts. will refuse 10 believe the evidence and.
like the Democratic jurors in the tally sheet
cases. will acquit the defendants. It is this
which gives confidence the consprators, and
it will make them stronger in the next election
than they were in the last. unless they
petely broken down. They have learned that
dishonest methods can be pursued with impuni-
ty. without danger from the people the
courts.
The speaker characterized the saloons as
the recruiting stations of the Democratic
party. I'm the city of Indianapolis" said
he, 'they have raised campaign
fund, and boast that they will defeat the
Republican candidate for Mayor at the mpend-
ing municipal election, because he has dared to
enforce the law Processing obey the law,
they threaten with political death every officer
who performs his duty" The
honest Democrat in Indianapolis, he said who |
undertakes to encourage reform does at his
peril. Success is the party's only standard, and
in order to attain it the party managers will
ing to make perjury virtue
In closing. Mr. Langsdale said, to be a Repub- |
lican means something. The Republican party |
has destiny full of promise for mankind. In |
the past achievements of the party the Tippe- |
canoe Club, he said, lad done their part we'll.
A VICTIM OF CONFIDENCE MEN.